Saudi Railways extends Haramain bid date

Riyadh, June 6, 2010

Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) has extended the due date for the bidding of the second phase of Haramain High Speed Railway Project (HHR), connecting Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah, to July 3.

Announcing the extension, SRO president Abdulaziz Al Hokail said the decision was taken after a number of consortia requested for an extension for the period granted to them to submit their technical and financial proposals.

'In order to obtain more accurate, professional and integrated proposals, SRO has approved the request of consortia to extend the period until July 3,' he added.

Al Hokail pointed out that a huge project such as the HHR requires SRO and the competitors to act carefully when making the final proposals which will be reflected positively to select the best offer submitted.

However, he added that this delay will not affect the specific date for commissioning the project which is scheduled for the end of 2012.

Al Hokail explained that this part of the project on technical and operational aspects, and the tender calls for the construction of track, signaling, telecommunications, electrification and operational control centre for the HHR.

'It also includes the procurement and maintenance of trains, providing additional energy to meet the growing demand over the concession period. Upon completion, the bidder is required to operate and maintain the entire infrastructure for 12 years,' Al Hokail added.-TradeArabia News Service